Library Policies

Home Library About the Library Library Policies

Bethel University library policies support a respectful, accessible, and academically focused environment. Review the guidelines below to understand how we work together to create a positive experience for all.

 

Building-related policies

The Library service desks will be closed for chapel during the following times:

Fall and spring semesters

10:15-11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

If you find valuables in the library that are not yours, please bring them to the check out desk near the entrance. If you think you may have left something in the library, ask at the check out desk, then with the Office of Safety and Security.

When we find something that has been left behind in the library we take it to the check out desk. Items are taken to the Office of Safety and Security as follows:

Items taken right away:

  • Wallets
  • Keys
  • Phones
  • IDs
  • Similar items to the above
Items taken weekly:
  • Less identifiable items like phone and computer cables, water bottles, etc.

The library is not responsible for items left unattended.

  • Food and drinks are permitted except near computers.
  • Drinks must be in covered cups.
  • Wrappers and cups must be disposed of properly. There are numerous trash and recycling bins on all floors.

Collection-related policies

The university Library appreciates donations and decides whether to add them using the same criteria as for materials we purchase. Unless otherwise arranged, all materials donated become the property of the library and may be disposed of as we see fit. The library will acknowledge such gifts in writing but cannot offer a monetary evaluation of the donated materials.

If the above is not acceptable for any reason, we encourage you to donate to:

St. Paul area
  • East West InterKnit is looking for books that would be suitable for pastors or training institutions (non-fiction Christian). East West InterKnit may be able to arrange distribution to their partner ministries in countries around the world including India, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Haiti, Bulgaria, Sudan and Burma (Myanmar).

The collections of the Bethel University Library are built with the primary goal of supporting the mission of Bethel University's curriculum. Secondarily, we collect materials that provide general education, enrichment and enjoyment. Materials particular to the individual needs of faculty can be acquired through interlibrary loan.

Formats collected

Books

We choose between paperbacks and hardcover formats based on cost as well as anticipated use and extended relevance of the item, with paper being the predominant choice. Each year we purchase an increasing number of electronic books.

Newspapers

Most newspapers are held for a period of about three months. Many are available electronically for older dates.

Journals

Journals usually are not added if not included in an index available through our library. Space limitations as well as changing user preferences and flexibility of access incline us toward electronic access when possible.

Films and music

These materials are added regularly in commonly used formats. Priority is given to materials needed for coursework, but we also add recreational materials as funds allow.

Textbooks

As a rule, we do not collect textbooks, except as a part of K-12 curriculum collection maintained on behalf of the education department.

Gifts and donations

The University Library appreciates donations and decides whether to add them using the same criteria as for materials we purchase. Unless otherwise arranged, all materials donated become the property of the library and may be disposed of as we see fit. The library will acknowledge such gifts in writing but cannot offer a monetary evaluation of the donated materials.

Reference materials

These items remain a valuable adjunct to the regular collection in both electronic and print format, although increasingly in electronic format alone. Many print items now allow limited checkout, while a few have retained their in-library-use-only status.

Electronic resources

We purchase and/or lease electronic resources using many of the same criteria as other materials, but also consider the licensing terms, copyright, interlibrary loan privileges, user friendliness, ease of access, availability of usage statistics and stability of the platform.

Selection and deselection criteria

We take into account these criteria when deciding which materials to add to our collection:

  • Contribution to curricular needs
  • Cost
  • Currency
  • Significance, both short and long term
  • Reviews
  • Reputation of author/creator/publisher
  • Format
  • Licensing terms for electronic subscriptions
  • Availability among partner institutions

We welcome and actively solicit recommendations from our faculty for materials selection. All requests are considered and have final approval by the collection development librarian.

Because our library has limited space and wish to remain up-to-date, we frequently deselect materials with the appropriate input from faculty. The following criteria are considered in our deselection process:

  • Date of publication
  • Currency of information
  • Condition of material
  • Continued relevance to curriculum
  • Use statistics
  • Newer editions available

Materials request policies and procedures

The Library director allocates a significant portion of the library budget for departmental library purchases based on several factors, including faculty and student FTEs, credit hours taught, average cost of materials within the discipline and departmental research requirements and use patterns. These allocations are adjusted as needed to accommodate changing curriculum and enrollment.

Each fall the new allocation will be sent to the department chair or bibliographer, along with a report of the items purchased or encumbered so far and the current balance of the allocated funds. Departments may work out their own method for requesting among its faculty, but we suggest central coordination so that balance, fairness and accountability are maintained among the department members. All requests must have the approval of the dept chair. Please keep in mind the easy access of consortial library collections and consider whether an item you want is needed in our library or if availability in one or more of our partner libraries is sufficient to meet your needs.

Requests may be submitted in whatever form is most convenient: electronic request form, catalog pages, reviews, lists or emails. We appreciate as much publication information as possible, including ISBN or ISSN numbers. Please clearly indicate if an item is needed urgently. Once your department allocation has been met for the current fiscal period, we will stop ordering and set aside the rest of your orders until the new fiscal year. If you knowingly submit orders that are likely to exceed your budget, please prioritize them so we can be guided as we select among your submissions.

The institutional fiscal year dates from June 1-May 31. While departments are encouraged to submit requests throughout the year, the library sets a deadline for requesting materials that will be counted toward the current fiscal period that accommodates the ordering, processing and widely varying delivery speeds of large numbers of requests across the institution. After this deadline, any money remaining in a department's library allocation will revert to general library funds. This deadline fluctuates somewhat from year to year, but most often falls in February.

While we value, encourage and give priority to departmental input for library purchases, librarians also select materials on behalf of the departments.